To ask what you'd spend £100 on?

[PurpleMac]

I'm having the worst day. I've managed to upset my mum (we're good now but still), upset my husband (a misunderstanding, my fault, I've apologised but he hasn't responded- although I know he's busy).

Add to that the fact that we are off on holiday next week and have had some unexpected expenses in the past few weeks which means that we really can afford just the bare essentials whilst we are away - it's a UK break, food and accommodation are accounted for, so just some low-budget days out.

I basically got sacked last month - not in so many words, but my secondment has been terminated early (just as I was due back from adoption leave) because they don't have enough work for me to do so I'm heading back to my home department in two weeks. I've dedicated years to my current team and have worked my arse off but missed out on a performance bonus this year because my manager mistakenly thought that I was not elligible because I was on leave (despite being in the office for 10 months of the performance year). My manager did a card and collection, and told me I could have the collection money as cash as spending money for my holiday next week, but today has decided that that's not the way they do things so he's sent me an Amazon voucher instead. (Now I'm really not being greedy and appreciate I've been off for almost a year on adoption leave so have basically been forgotten, but the collection came to £100 - I've worked closely with a team of 50 very senior people all earning £200k+. The £100 will actually be less than that I'm sure, but my manager would be emabarssed to give me so little so would have topped it up himself).

So yeah. I'm really feeling like shit today. Have spent most the day feeling hormonal and sad and curled up on the sofa crying. But at least I have a £100 Amazon voucher to spend! I've finished all my Christmas shopping already so this is just for me. Except for the first time ever I don't have a fucking clue what to get. I do know though that I feel exhausted right now having given every part of myself to my family and my job and my home and for once I just want something for me. I need something special for me.

If you had £100 to spend for yourself on Amazon....what would you get?

Can you get something you need or usually buy for the house/family from Amazon with the voucher and then take the cash from the bank account for your holiday? I got an Amazon voucher from work, we had been looking for a new hoover anyway. There was nothing I wanted on Amazon but wanted the cash to put towards an event, so put the voucher towards new hoover, gave myself the cash from the bank account to put towards event tickets.

There's nothing we really need for the house (and we dont get Amazon pantry in our area or else I would do some food shops with it). Otherwise that would be a great idea!

Can you do your Christmas shopping with it?

Sorry, posted too soon, can you do your Christmas shipping with it and return the things you’ve bought from the shops (I.e, get a refund?)

Hmm ... You need the cash, don't you? Is there no-one you could exchange the voucher with, for actual money?

Weird unfortunately I was super organised and did my Christmas shopping in August serves me right for being so organised! So can't return it.

Our financial situation isn't that bad - the holiday is 5 days but 2 days will be driving and one day is a wedding. So two days out, we will take packed lunches, and we have National Trust membership! We've already contributed to the kitty for food (staying in a big property with family which is already paid for) and have fuel money.

So I feel no guilt in spending this money on myself! So far I've added some crochet hooks, yarn and beginners guide. It's something I've wanted to learn for ages so should keep me occupied on the long drive to our holiday. Might add a nice throw blanket to snuggle up in through the winter!

I would spend £30 on candles, £20 on books for Kindle and the rest on a nice meal out.

I'm sure someone would be happy to exchange £100 for an Amazon voucher - you could set up an eBay auction for it on Buy It Now and send the link to anyone who was interested, to keep it secure. Bad timing, we had some household bits to buy on Amazon last month so I'd have swapped £100 for a £100 voucher happily - no skin off my nose!

I’d get some treats for your holiday - chocolate, wine for the evening. If generally a bit tight on money could you use the extra for things you need anyway (nappies etc). for you it sounds a tough time.

Fuck the suggestions about spending it on the family, a new hoover, Christmas presents or something you want for the house.

Buy something for you

I would buy:

• A few good books
• Some nice smelly stuff
• Some nice food
• An album from my youth

How about some books/eBooks or put it towards something nice like a cosy blanket,

As an aside, I’d be making a formal complaint about being overlooked for performance related bonus

Candles
Jewellery
Cashmere socks
New toiletry bag
Clinique (insert your own skincare products here)
Matching hat scarf and gloves
Nice pen
Parasol brolly
Shoes and matching handbag (ruby shoos are cheaper on Amazon if you like them)
Flip flops for next summer
Kindle
Ebooks
An alexa

I could go on and on.
Loads to buy on Amazon.

Oh, and complain about not getting your bonus!

Definitely treat yourself with it!
I’d either get myself jewellery or more practically put it towards a new bean to cup machine as mine is on its last legs and I pretty much mainline coffee 😂

Irregular choice shoes.
A good handbag.
Spend it on something for you. That work sounds shitty.

If you've met the conditions required to earn the bonus then you need to discuss with your manager and then raise a grievance if he doesn't resolve it satisfactorily.

Hmm, I'd get a couple of books, a Woodwick candle, and some posh mascara. A chocolatey something if there was anything left! Sorry you're having a hard time x

Hi OP, really sorry to hear you are having a rough time of it at the moment I might be wrong but don’t Amazon do experiences? E.g spa days, driving experiences, things like that. Maybe you could find something local to where you’re going away to?

Other than that I also suggest little luxeries for your holiday like nice wine and chocolates 🍫

Some nice wellies for winter, some books, bath bombs and face masks and a promise to myself that I will lock myself in the bathroom for as long as I want to!

In that case, may I recommend Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles. (And definitely complain about your bonus)

I wouldn't take edible luxuries away. You will look mean for not sharing and you can bet your last pound that someone else will see it as their right to eat/drink it when you have all put into a food kitty.

Not worth the hassle.

Right now today I would buy the new Fitbit Charge 3. Or a number of boxes of Charbonnel & Walker truffles. Or boxes of Prestat chocolates.

You lot are fabulous at this.

So far I have:
Crochet book
Crochet hooks
Yarn
Painting supplies (ok this is for DS but only comes to a tenner and was the last of what I needed to get for christmas)
Seed packet party favours (again for DS's birthday but needed to get them)
Kingsize luxury waffle throw in duck egg blue
A new hardback book
Shearer candle
Bath bombs
Eye cream

I have £17 left. This was a blessing in disguise. I feel SO much better for having some money to focus on myself!

Charbonnel. Honestly, they are to die for.